Ukraine PM resigns after losing majority

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Ukraine's embattled prime minister has said he is resigning, opening the way for the formation of a new government to end a drawn-out political crisis.

In his weekly televised addresson Sunday, Arseniy Yatsenyuk said his resignation would be formally submitted to parliament on Tuesday.

Yatsenyuk's Cabinet survived a no-confidence vote in February, but two parties left the governing coalition to protest the failure to oust the prime minister, who is under fire over the worsening economy and slow pace of reforms.

The withdrawal deprived the coalition of its majority in the Ukrainian parliament.

If lawmakers fail to form a new coalition and unite behind a new prime minister, that may lead to early elections, which President Petro Poroshenko has sought to avoid for fear of further destabilising the situation in the country.

"From today I see my goals as broader than the powers of the head of the government," Yatsenyuk said.

He said he would focus on passing a new electoral law, enacting constitutional and judicial reform, and ensuring "the coalition's control over the course of a new government."